- Jeannet Woudsma (IC-nurse)
- Ilse Corporaal (PA-IC)
- Saskia Hulleman (PA-IC)
For decades, we have been traveling to Egypt as a Dutch cardio-surgical and intervention team with a clear mission, namely, to perform heart operations and dotter procedures for disadvantaged patients. On October 27, 2023 the journey began with a dose of ‘healthy’ excitement. We were stressed because it takes a lot of organizing and preparation. It also brings about tension when dealing with the physical, emotional, social challenges and the confrontation with the harsh reality of a third world country. This was the first mission to Egypt for some, encouraged and stimulated by the experienced colleagues. The entire team committed to make the mission successful and contribute to improving healthcare. Our work does not end with performing open heart surgeries, we also educate and teach the young Egyptian surgeons and nursing teams. Local professionals have received us with open arms and are determent to learn new skills.
These missions are impressive because as a team we sometimes are faced with difficult decisions. Patients who normally would not receive care because there is no financial support or the materials for surgery are lacking. Young patients, who, as a consequence of rheumatic fever, have serious heart valve disease or patients with coronary artery disease and even a combination of both valve and coronary disease. This time too we see a young patient who has hardly any quality of life because of a severe disease and we know that without intervention this will lead to her death. Complex care in a country with little means.
When we make our rounds just before heading back home, we are overwhelmed by the gratitude. One patient donates his most valuable possession to use. It is his “tasbih or sebha”, which was of his father and his father before him, it protects him from harm and brings him luck. We fall quiet and listen with tears in our eyes to his story. This moment is engraved in our memory forever.
November 5th, we fly back to the Netherlands and the mission of 2023 is accomplished. We look back at an exciting, intensive and emotional week in which we have met again beautiful people and have worked together with them with mutual respect.